KAZAKHSTANI YOUTH OVERVIEW

(Download this overview as a PDF)

DEMOGRAPHICS

Population: 16,731,303 (Ranked 55^th in the world by the US Census Bureau). Population density: 16 per square mile. Children 0-14: 26.7%—4,471,944. Teenage 10-19: 20.2%—3,377,419. Youth between 15-24: 18.8%—3,139,438. Seniors Over 70: 4.8%—800,004. Male to female ratio: 92.6 males per 100 females. Birth rate: 16.78 per 1,000 people. Life expectancy at birth: 57.73 for males and 68.93 for females. Infant mortality rate: 59.39 per 1,000 live births.

EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE

The Ministry of Education, Culture, and Health Care of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and its Committee for Education, are responsible for the administration of education in Kazakhstan.

In 1997-98, there were 1905 preschools (includes preschool and kindergarten) in Kazakhstan, with an attendance of 184,500 students. There were 8,027 General education schools (includes primary, basic, and secondary) with an attendance of over 3 million children. Secondary education is free and mandatory. There were 292 vocational/technical schools, with an attendance of 117,000 students. Vocational/technical training is combined with secondary education. Education is available to all Kazakhstanis (both in and outside of Kazakhstan) and to some foreigners.

ISSUES

• Improving scientific and cultural training for students.
• Social adaptation.
• The formation of patriotism.
• Vocational training to ensure that all levels of employment are adequately staffed.

SOURCES

UNESCO Statistics Division.

US Central Intelligence Agency. World Factbook.

Freedom House.

Jonathan Ketcham cCYS